The Selection, The Elite, The One – Kiera Cass – Trio Review

For thirty-five girls, the Selection is the chance of a lifetime. The opportunity to escape the life laid out for them since birth. To be swept up in a world of glittering gowns and priceless jewels. To live in a palace and compete for the heart of gorgeous Prince Maxon.

But for America Singer, being Selected is a nightmare. It means turning her back on her secret love with Aspen, who is a caste below her. Leaving her home to enter a fierce competition for a crown she doesn’t want. Living in a palace that is constantly threatened by violent rebel attacks.

Then America meets Prince Maxon. Gradually, she starts to question all the plans she’s made for herself—and realizes that the life she’s always dreamed of may not compare to a future she never imagined.

I had never heard of The Selection series until December last year, when my good friend Cassie started reading them. She raved about them and that coming from Cassie is something spectacular! So I decided to check the first one, The Selection, out and see for myself ..and then I bought the second and then the third and completely fell in love! I decided to review these as a whole because they’re quite similar and I thought it would be easier to sum up my thoughts of America’s story in one.

The Selection

The beginning of the book gave us lot’s of back story and intel into America’s way of life as a five. Now I was slightly confused with the numbers at first, there was a five here and six there and I found myself saying what?! But it was quickly explained that people were placed into castes, groups if you will, of the lowest being an eight and the best being a one. Each caste has a specific trade, be it artists or labourers or servants. America’s family were all varies artists, painters, musicians etc. I really loathed the castes and felt a lot of sympathy for the lower castes. Each woman can only marry an equal caste or above and America was in love with Aspen, a six, ooooh that’s not good I thought!

I knew straight away that there would be a love triangle and you KNOW I hate them, but I stuck with it because I was enjoying it so much. I got sucked into the story straight away and didn’t come up for air until I was half way through. There was a similar effect with all of the books, with the exception of reading The One in one sitting! IT.WAS.SO.GOOD!!

I admired all of the detail that was included, like the fitting of the dresses and the way they flowed, it was magical and had me wishing for my own Cinderella ball gown.

The reality side to it was really interesting and caught me off guard. The story setting seemed very oldy worldy, but entwined with modern day technology. The Selection was recorded by a camera crew and they had phones and computers. It was really quite a strange mix but it worked so well. I loved the old chivalry and the new language mingled together. It was really fun to read.

I was genuinely crying at one point, you will know it when you read it. I didn’t expect this event to happen and it broke my heart!

America was very laid back to begin with. She didn’t want to compete and was only in The Selection for her family. But that changed by the end and another twist thrown in blew me away.

The Elite

The second book was by far the best for me. The emotions were running wild and America was up and down constantly! She didn’t know her own feelings from her own head. It was a roller coaster ride for sure and that made it all the better!

The love triangle really heated up in this one, which normally I’m not a fan of AT ALL, but I can see why the story needed it and it added a lot of emotion and depth to the overall story.

America did however p#ss me off a lot. She really COULD. NOT. DECIDE. what she wanted and I screamed at her many times in my head.

Prince Maxon is truly a prince charming and I want one of those RIGHT NOW!! What a sweetheart seriously. There was a part when I wanted to cry for him and hold him like a precious child. We most definitely discovered some dark places in Maxon’s heart and I wish I could piece it all together for him!

The One

The One really sealed the deal for me. The final girls were all fighting for Maxon’s affections, but some for very different reasons.

I really enjoyed how the friendships blossomed in this one. We learnt that some people weren’t all they seemed and I had a lot of sympathy and a lot of love for certain characters by the end.

America really grew up in this book and finally knew what she wanted and what she was truly fighting for. If I were her I probably (definitely) would have ripped out some hair and ruined some faces, but this is America’s story and she was as classy and as kind as ever. Her passion for other people and her true affections really shone through and I ended up really loving the girl.

The finale was completely unexpected for sure! That’s all I’m saying.

These books aren’t to be taken too seriously. They are definite fluff reads and I really enjoyed them. They weren’t amazing in ways that other books are, they didn’t make you think or teach you anything, but they didn’t have to. Sometimes we read just to read and enjoy a story and The Selection series definitely did that for me.

I hope you enjoyed my triple review for The Selection series. If you are a fan of fluff Romance’s and Prince’s then definitely pick this series up. But there will be heartbreak, I can guarantee it.

Love your picture Sarah!! It’s really pretty. I’m so glad you decided to post these all in one big post. (That’s what I voted for 😉) You and Cassie make me want to go out and buy these all and read them in one binge. Great reviews! ❤️

This series has been on my TBR for SO. LONG!!!! Someday I will get to it. It sounds so good. I really don’t mind a good love triangle story, but they are difficult to write well. This one sounds good! 😉

That’s great! Im always afraid of spoilers because this is a series ive been dying to read. Bad thing is my parents don’t by anything online so there went my dreams of reading this book. Libraries in my area really need to improve their tastes. Lol

Yeah my family doesn’t do anything with the internet. I need to check Walmart and see if they have the books. If only Hastings didn’t go out of business. 😦 that place was the only book store for miles.